Application of Vermicomposting and Land Management Techniques to reduce soil erosion and use of persistent chemicals

he Jeffrey Town Farmers Association (JTFA) has identified soil loss and ultimately land degradation as a significant problem in Jeffrey Town and its environs. The farming of steep slopes in Jeffrey Town without appropriate soil conservation and surface run-off management techniques has resulted in significant soil loss, reduction in productivity and a concomitant increase in the use of inorganic fertilisers, especially during the last fifteen years.
The reduction in cultivation of tree crops such as breadfruit, pimento, cocoa, citrus and banana, and an emphasis on cash crops such as tomato and peppers, coupled with a serious decline in agricultural extension services, has made lands more vulnerable to degradation. In the 1970s the land degradation problem was addressed through a check dam construction project and training in terracing implemented in St. Mary by the Extension Services Arm of the Ministry of Agriculture. This resulted in land stabilisation and effective control of surface runoff. However, these initiatives have not been adequately maintained and after significant damage to the check dam system by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, farmers did not have the resources to rehabilitate the infrastructure. Consequently, the check dam system deteriorated even more, soil is now being lost during heavy downpours and the poor management of surface flow causes land slippages, adversely affecting houses and roads.
The JTFA is also interested in reducing the use of inorganic fertilisers and persistent pesticides. Crop cultivation within Jeffrey Town and adjoining communities includes significant use of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides. These communities are located in the watershed of rivers such as the White, Wallingford, Kellham and Maiden Hall Rivers. Currently the larger farmers utilise approximately 288,000 pounds of inorganic fertiliser each year. The over 11 pesticides utilised include: Actara which has a high potential for run-off several months after application and is toxic to aquatic invertebrates and bees, Ridomil which can cause groundwater contamination in permeable soils, and Gramaxone which is highly toxic to humans.
The combination of land degradation and the consequent increase in the use of inorganic fertilisers to maintain soil productivity has a negative impact not only on natural resources, but also on the ability of the small farmers to maintain sustainable livelihoods and escape poverty.
The inappropriate disposal of chicken manure by chicken farmers in watershed areas is also an area which the JTFA has to address. Surface water is being contaminated by a valuable resource, which can be recycled into a useful farming input to improve soil quality and maintain productivity. The manure is disposed of on the slopes of watershed areas resulting in contamination of surface flow to rivers during heavy rainfall events. .

• Main goals
The overall goals of the project are:
a. To significantly reduce the impacts of farming activities in Jeffrey Town and its environs on the natural resources, especially the soil, through implementation of soil conservation and improvement techniques
b. To reduce the persistent organic pollutants introduced to the watershed areas through an increase in the use of organic pesticides.

Reforestation of a combination of fruit and lumber trees, which will be maintained by farmers as part of the sustainable livelihoods thrust. The benefit of these trees to the community and to watershed functions will extend many, many years after the end of the project period. The next phase of the JTFA community development plan is the establishment of agro-processing which will utilise the fruits from this reforestation and engender the maintenance and proper care of the plots.

Notable Community Participation

The approach to the project involved ongoing community participation. Community meetings and one on one discussion on the different elements of the project were held before and during the project proposal preparation. Community trainrswere used to train additional farmers in soil conservation

Capacity - Building Component

Yes

Project Results

The project has been a successful one. The Gabion Baskets at Wallingford are saving the community from further damage and has already saved some of the community members' houses. Access to the training facilities and workshops has an been an ongoing credential of the group and as a result many of community members have gained new and long lasting skills in a vast array of techniques.The tree planting component of the project has been rewarding especially through the establishment of the school plots.There has been a secured land space at the site of JTFA Building with a stone wall to the front with dimensions of 3' below the ground and 5' above and 75 feet in total length which would be equal to 100 cubic yards of construction.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Hectares of degraded land rest 20

Livehood

Number of individuals (gender diaggregated) who have benefited* from SGP project 20